Director General of Pakistan Sports Council: Qatar is a safe place for our workers

Construction workers on Khalifa International Stadium ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar on December 30, 2015 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

by Bassem Al Rawas, Al Kass TV

ISALAMABAD, October 19, 2017 - Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera,
Director-General of the Pakistan Sports Council, said that the State of Qatar
has become an international force on the sports level, especially after it won
the hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

“Yes, we support the Qatari government in this area and
provide all kinds of assistance needed to complete the 2022 World Cup,” he
said.

“The relationship with Qatar is flawless and old and based
on mutual respect,” he said. “There is no doubt that the brotherly relationship
between the two countries is based on firm foundations.

“Qatar is a safe place for Pakistani workers and we know the
contribution of Pakistani workers to the construction of the 2022 World Cup
facilities and we consider Qatar’s success to be our success,” said Ganjera.

The Director-General of the Pakistan Sports Council said,
that the Western media are spreading rumours about the violations of workers’ rights
in Doha. Terming it false “propaganda”, he added that such things occur
everywhere.

Speaking about the AIPS-ASIA Congress in Islamabad, Dr. Ganjera
said, “The event was excellent on more than one level, especially since it
included many Asian delegations that came to Pakistan and saw the safety and
safety of the Asian Union here.”

Dr. Ganjera confirmed that hosting such events would change
the adverse image of Pakistan in the international community, especially when
the media is converging here for this successful event in Islamabad.

“We in Pakistan believe in sport and provide all the support
for this vital sector, especially since we have been fighting terrorism since
the last 30 years, which has been coming to us from many sides,” said Ganjera.

Dr. Ganjera said that Pakistan believes in sport as a noble
message for future generations and is working to provide support to this sector
with all strength and determination.

The Organizing Committee of the 20th AIPS-ASIA Congress
organised a media tour of landmarks in the capital, including the National
Museum and some ancient villages that mimic the city’s long history. The
delegations expressed admiration for the great organisation and hospitality
that characterised the hosting of the Asian capital.

Tour of Peshawar

Post the conclusion of the AIPS-ASIA Congress held in the
Pakistani capital of Islamabad, which witnessed the election of a new board
headed by Kuwaiti Sattam Ali Alsahli, a delegation from the AIPS-ASIA headed by
a member of the Sports Press Committee of Qatar, Mubarak Al Boainin, and the
newly elected Secretary General of AIPS-ASIA, Amjad Aziz Malik, visited the city
of Peshawar, in which is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, located 186
km from Islamabad.

The media delegation included the AIPS-ASIA treasure and Nepalese
Sports Journalist Federation president Niranjan Rajbanshi and his compatriot Prakash
Timilsina and Helen Chi, the newly elected executive member from Chinese Taipei
and a journalist from Qatar’s national sports broadcaster Al Kass, Bassam Al
Rawas.

After a two-hour journey by road, the Asian delegation
arrived at the reception with former Pakistani sports minister and vice-president
of the Pakistan Olympic Committee Syed Khan Shinwari, as well as Mr. Shahib Zada
​​Halim, founder of Frontier Healthcare, as well as media representatives in
Peshawar.

“We welcome the guests and congratulate Mr. Amjad Aziz Malik
on his election for the second time as Secretary General of AIPS-ASIA,” said
Syed Khan Shinwari, who said that this is a great honour for the city of
Peshawar, where Malik hails from.

Shinwari added that the great successful hosting of the 20th
AIPS-ASIA Congress could not have been possible without the support of state
Minister of Information & broadcasting, Ms. marriyam Aurangzaib. He also
thanked the 74 media representatives from 33 countries, who attended the
Congress.

Calling the Congress historic, Shinwari added that it goes
to prove the fact that Pakistan has always sought to host the big events in its
bid to emphasis on the continuation of life in the country, contrary to what
has been projected in the international media.

“We came here to meet Peshawar’s call on behalf of all
members of the AIPS-ASIA and to emphasize the great trust and faith we have for
this country after the great success of hosting Congress,” said Mubarak Al
Boainin. He further added that many members of the AIPS-ASIA, especially Arab
colleagues, would have wanted to come to Pakistan, but their prior commitments
and engagements prevented them. He noted that the delegation in Peshawar in a
way represents everyone without exception.

“We will carry with us very beautiful memories from Islamabad
and Peshawar, especially since the people here expressed their sincere love,
which was reflected in this wonderful welcome and reception. The accommodation
provided to us, was avant-garde.

“This is a welcome reversal from what has been projected
about Pakistan. Clearly, that is a false image people have about this beautiful
and warm country.”